Trackage
Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
How To Stop Bogies Derailing on a Turnout
Julian asks readers:
“I have a seemingly intractable problem. The front bogies on my new OO Hornby West Country jump off on the turnout when having to turn. The first of the outside bogies seems to fall out through the gap in the outside curve where the crossing is and before the check rail on the inside has a chance to hold the flange of the inside front bogey. I have tried widening the bogies but what little extra there is before the wheels come off does not help. I have put a piece of foam under the bogies and while that damps the jumping it does not cure it. Help please!”
A Clever Use For Broken Track Pieces
Robert (a blog reader from NZ) sent in this clever idea to share:
Have you got some broken pieces of track? Don’t throw it away, make a coal store for your steam locos.
Cut the plastic joining the sleepers (ties) together. Glue the sleepers together side by side until you have the length required (include a few broken ones). Then glue a piece of rail parallel to the ground about half way up the sleepers to act as reinforcing as per the photo. You can make a 3 sided or 4 sided store as large as you like this way. My photo shows a 3 sided version with a coaling crane and tubs.
What Gauge Wire To Use in Train Yard?
Les asks readers:
“Hi guys (and gals). I got a question to ask. What gauge wire I need to use to wire my N scale train yard? Atlas says that I would use 18 or 29 gauge. I’m going about 2 to 3 foot from my switches.”
Adjusting the Weight of Cars
Bill has a question for readers:
“If the cars were heavier, or some of them heavier, would it help the whole lot of them stay on the track better? Or is it generally going to take track cleaning or adjusting to solve most of these issues?”
Front Trucks Derail at Points
A reader asks:
“My HO Bachmann Climax front truck derails on Hornby and Peco point work. It is only the front one that derails. Any suggestions?”
How Do Kato #6 Turnouts Compare?
Peter asks readers:
“I bought a Bachmann train set prior to Christmas. I then expanded the layout with extra track and turnouts. I personally have found the turn outs to be extremely unreliable and I am considering buying Kato #6 turnouts instead. Are the Kato turn outs remote as I would like to run to engines and isolate one at a time on a siding?”
Mixing Kato Track N Scale With Other Brand Trains
Gianni asks readers:
“It is my intention to purchase a Kato track N scale; however, do I have to also select the train sets of the same brand? Can I use a different brand same scale?”
How to Decide Which Train Track to Buy
Thelma asks readers:
“I am totally new to model trains. My layout will be 4 x 8 to begin with and not be from a kit. How do I select the manufacturer/company for buying individual HO train tracks? I read there are various types, too…flex, snap, etc. Please educate me so I make the correct 1st choices. I don’t find information explaining “the good, the bad and the ugly” of HO tracks. Thanks!”
What is the Best Track Cleaning Method?
Tim asks readers:
“What is the best method for cleaning HO Peco Flexi track?”
How to Fix Problem When Locomotive Passes Over Remote Switches
Kevin asks readers:
“I have an N-scale railroad which includes about a half-dozen Atlas remote switches. When the locomotive passes over a few of the switches, there is unevenness that causes a brief interruption in the motion of the locomotion. Is it possible to use a fine sandpaper to smooth out the track so that the locomotive passes over the switch smoothly? Or is there a better solution? Thanks in advance for any advice that is offered.”
How to Install a DCC Chip into a Tamper Track Machine
Jamie asks readers:
“I have just purchased a Hobbytrains N gauge tamper track machine. Does anybody know how to install a dcc chip into it? If you do which one should I use as I have not installed one before?”
Using Felt as Track Underlay?
Bill asks readers:
“Thanks for the tips. I painted my baseboard green… thinking grass. I am trying to build my layout using self-made parts as much as possible. Cork underlay for the track is expensive, so I’m going to try felt and spray it with a pva/water 50/50 mix. I can cut it to shape and glue to the baseboard? Comments?”
How to Make Railroad Ties?
Daniel asks readers:
“I want to make my own O scale ties. What are the correct dimensions for the ties? Please in fractions of an inch. Thanks.”
New Loco Can’t Navigate Curves
Miles asks readers:
“I have a question on this new loco I bought. It is a Budd Amtrak powered coach and it cannot navigate the curves I have on my layout on account of two details next to the trucks that limit the amount they can turn. Should I cut those details off or not?”
Is there a height different in track?
Jeff asks readers:
“My question is – is atlas N scale track code 80 the same height as Arnold Rapido/Revell? Are they compatible together or is there too much of a height difference in the two tracks? Thank you for any help on this.”
How to Make Turnouts
David has this question for readers:
“More about my cheapskate G scale toy train purchases! The track supplied has straight and curved rail sections (set track) but no points (turnouts or switches to the initiated). Have any of you tried to make turnouts from set track pieces (in any scale), if so I’d like to hear from you.”
How to Wire a Modular Train Layout
Andrew asks readers:
“I am about to embark on my first HO layout and, after reading good advice on this blog, have decided to construct it in 4 modules. I’ll be able to work on the layout one module at a time. We might be relocating in 2 years, hence my reason for building in modules. My question is simple; Is there any special way to disconnect and reconnect the wires to make relocation easy?”
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